He Government has issued a strong warning to Claudio Belocopitt and seven medicine companies prepaid due to increases in fees that have exceeded inflation. This measure, announced by presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, has generated a stir in the health sector and has put some of the country’s main prepaid medicine companies at the center of controversy.
After observing the Government; The National Commission for the Defense of Competition (CNDC) has charged the companies Galeno, Swiss Medical, Hospital Británico, Medifé, Omint, Hospital Alemán and OSDE, as well as the Argentine Health Union (UAS) and Claudio Belocopitt, who in At that time he held the dual role of president of Swiss Medical and the UAS.
The accusation is based on alleged cartelization, that is, coordination between these companies to set prices in a concerted manner, which constitutes a serious infringement of competition regulations.
According to Adorni, the measure arises from a complaint for cartelization linked to price fixing between December 2023 and April 2024. During this period, increases in the dues of the prepaid They significantly exceeded inflation, which led the Ministry of Economy to intervene in April, issuing an early protection measure that forced companies in the sector to retrograde the prices of health plans to those in force in December 2023..
In addition, it was ruled that the increases could not be above inflation. The CNDC has given the accused companies a period of 20 business days to formulate their defense and offer evidence to refute the alleged conduct.
In the event that the alleged cartelization is proven, the Government could impose fines of up to 30% of the companies’ turnover or up to double the illicit profit obtained. Adorni emphasized that “in Argentina there is no longer a place for this type of stoking,” underlining the seriousness of price agreements between competitors.
Prepaid
The accusation of Belocopitt and the prepaid medicine companies has generated a wave of reactions in the sector. Some analysts consider this measure to be a necessary step to protect consumers and ensure fair competition in the health market.
However, others warn that the sanctions could have a negative impact on the quality and availability of health services, as companies could be forced to reduce costs and services to cope with the fines.
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